Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Holy Apara Ekadasi for this
year (2012) is to be observed on May 16, 2012 throughout the world,
except by those living in Hawaii region of U.S. Those living in Hawaii
should observe this on May 15, 2012 itself.

Significance of this Apara Ekaadasi:

This
Ekadasi is specifically recommended for those who are suffering from
pangs of anxiety arising out of past short-comings in performing one's
rightful duties (out of negligence or other pressing practical
circumstances). If you have committed some major sins knowingly
or unknowingly and are suffering from remorse for those sinful
activities, and want to be freed from the psychological pangs now,
observance of this Ekadasi will help. This Ekaadasi can free one from
sins like Brahmahati (that can cause depressive tendencies and may even
lead to more serious psychological disturbances as a consequence of
one's sins), Gohatya and other major sins.

Apara Ekaadasi punya is equivalent to all the following meritorious religious activities taken together!....

1) Bathing in the Holy Pushkara thrice a day, everyday throughout the lunar month of Kaarthika;

5) Bathing in the Holy Gautami River during Jupiter's transit into Simha rashi;

6) Having Shri Kedaarnaath darshan.

7) Having Badrinaath darshan during the kumba maasa (sun in kumbha raashi)

8) Taking a bath in Kurukshetra during solar eclipse and donating cows, elephants, and gold in charity to worthy Brahmins.

9) Donating a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land.

Method of observing Ekaadasi vratham:

Try
to limit intake of food slowly starting from the previous day (dasami)
itself. Avoid consuming honey, onion, garlic, and such ritually impure
items on dasami day (the day before ekaadasi fast) itself and also
prepare yourself mentally too by meditating on Lord Hari.

On
the day of Ekaadasi fast, you must get up early in the morning, take a
bath, and with full intent maintain the fast. Ideally, the fast should
be complete - avoiding even drinking water. However, if this is not
possible, you may water-down the intensity of the fast like - a
fruit-only fast, juice-only fast, milk-only fast, or whatever depending
on your health condition. On Ekaadasi day, pulses and grains should be
strictly avoided (especially Rice). This Ekaadasi is mandatory for all
believers with good health between the ages 7 and 70. (Pregnant women,
old aged persons, and ailing persons are exempt these; even women in their monthly periods can fast on ekaadasi and meditate on Lord Hari silently without chanting mantras!)

On
the night of Ekaadasi fast, it is recommended to keep a whole night
vigil - listening to Lord's wonderful leelaas from various scriptures,
or reading Bhagavat Gitaa, or simply chanting Lord's names like Hari,
Raam, Krishna, Hare Ramakrishna, etc.

On Dwaadasi -
the day after the fast, the fast should be broken within 2 hours 24
mins. after sunrise at your place, at an auspicious time. Those who have
maintained a full fast (without even water) can break the fast by just
consuming Tulsi teertham (Tulsi-soaked water). Others can break fast
by eating fruits.

On Dwaadasi thithi, tamarind
and chillies should be avoided while cooking. Lemon can be used instead
of Tamarind; pepper can be used instead of chillies to flavour the
food-items.

It is good to consume Amla on dwaadasi thithi as this endears one to Lord Krishna.

One who maintains this fast of Apara Ekaadasi will win fame and reknown besides cutting off the roots of all negative karmaas.

May all our members undertake this Holy Fast and relieve themselves of all negative karmaas.